Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

UPD releases annual WT crime report to public

Infographic by Krystina Martinez.
Infographic by Krystina Martinez.
The WTAMU University Police Department released their annual Campus and Fire Safety Report. The report contains statistics of reported crimes on campus and in the surrounding area.“Canyon has one of the lowest crime rates for cities that size in the state of Texas,” Meri Lyn Odell, director of Police Administration, said. “It’s an advantage of WT [because] we don’t have large parks or major highways that can increase crime.”
Compared to other universities in the Texas A&M System, WT currently has the lowest crime-to-population ratio. In 2009, there have been 54 major crimes reported among a student population of 7,535.“We’re in a great place compared to other schools,” Jon Behrens, director of Residential Living, said. “The quality of students we have makes a big difference.”

However, reports of crime do not go unnoticed by administration. Liquor violations were the highest reported, with 25 arrests made in residence halls.

“Media tells them that they’re supposed to do certain things in college,” Behrens said. “Our society has created some of those problems.”

Theft is another issue in residence halls, with 20 incidences reported in 2010. Many incidences, according to Odell, are ‘crimes of opportunity.’

“There is that perception that when you move, you consider your hall your bedroom but you need to consider it as your apartment,” she said.

Some of the most common items stolen in dorms include laundry and textbooks during finals, said Behrens.

“We continue to tell students to lock their doors,” he said. “[The culprit is usually] someone who has been in your room.”

Although such crimes can be prevented by simple measures, students may overlook the possibility of theft occurring.

“My roommate doesn’t always lock the door,” Jayla Lackey, a freshman Public Administration major, said. “[Theft is] not something I really think about, but you don’t want to wait for that to happen.”

There were two forcible sexual offenses reported last year, however, “one is too many,” according to Behrens.

“With any of those assaults, both parties knew each other’s name,” he said.

Despite the low number, Odell says that statistically, victims of sexual assault on college campuses do not report the crime to police.

“It’s a very underreported criminal offense. I’m sure there are offenses that aren’t reported,” she said.

According to the report, crime on campus has decreased since 2009, which can be attributed to a few factors.

“As a police force, maybe we’re being more visible, [so there is] less opportunity for crime,” said Odell.

“There are no gray areas,” Behrens said. “Our discipline system is well structured and it’s implemented quickly.”

To view the entire crime report, visit the UPD page on the WT website.

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